What's new on the business scene for July 11

Health facility receives award — The Pines at Poughkeepsie Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in Poughkeepsie has received the 2014 Innovative Practice Award for its Ambassador Program. The award from the New York State Health Facilities Association/New York State Center for Assisted Living (NYSHFA/NYSCAL) was presented on July 1 at the association's annual convention in Rye Brook.

The goal of the Ambassador Program is to enable the residents and their families to increase their voice and drive their care, which, in turn, increases customer satisfaction and facility excellence. This innovative program provides each new resident with an "ambassador" who becomes a trusted link to ensure that the resident/family is involved in directing their care and meeting their individual goals.

"Our customer satisfaction levels in all areas has increased dramatically. The facility has now created a customer service board to exhibit the positive comments they receive, which serves as a morale booster for staff," said Dana Diorio-Casey, administrator of The Pines at Poughkeepsie Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation.

The New York State Health Facilities Association/New York State Center for Assisted Living (NYSHFA/NYSCAL) is a member-driven association of providers of long-term care services and assisted living communities across the state.

ETC.

Energy plant to reopen and create new jobs — Danskammer Energy LLC announced plans to restart the Danskammer power station in Newburgh using clean-burning natural gas.

The project is expected to create at least 50 new jobs, cut electricity costs in the Hudson Valley and significantly reduce emissions.

"With repairs and with the availability of natural gas, Danskammer can be a clean and efficient producer of needed power in the Hudson Valley," said Larry She, president of Danskammer Energy, the new owner of the plant. Danskammer Energy's acquisition of the plant was approved by the New York State Public Service Commission on June 27. The power plant will operate under existing permits.

He said repairs are already underway at the site with the goal of having the approximately 500-megawatt power plant become operational later this year. The plant was temporarily shut down after being damaged by Superstorm Sandy in November 2012.

He said the plant will no longer burn coal. Instead, the two big units at the plant will be fueled exclusively by natural gas. Two smaller units will be fueled by natural gas, with fuel oil as a backup.